The role of local government in a future, reformed system of adult social care. Findings from the LGA’s national engagement programme and recommendations for a way forward.
This publication has been developed by the LGA for elected members as overarching guidance to help clarify the current public health grant conditions and mandated public health functions in local government. It has been updated to reflect the 2026/27 public health grant settlement, the consolidation of drug, alcohol and smoking cessation funding streams, the Government's 10 Year Health Plan and Neighbourhood Health Framework, and the NHS restructuring programme under way. It will be updated as the policy landscape continues to evolve.
The following summary sets out a new programme of sector led improvement support for adult social care and public health services available to councils in 2026/27.
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) has never had a more central role in English health and care. The policy changes of 2025 and 2026 have created a formal requirement for JSNA evidence to inform NHS commissioning decisions at the neighbourhood level. This toolkit will help Health and Wellbeing Boards lead a new generation of JSNA in the context of neighbourhood health.
The annual Employer Standards survey, known as the ‘Health Check’, amplifies the voices of registered social workers, occupational therapists, and non‑registered social care workers.
The annual Employer Standards survey, known as the ‘Health Check’, amplifies the voices of registered social workers, occupational therapists, and non‑registered social care workers.
This guidance explains how local authority public health teams can support new developments in the NHS following publication of Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England. It provides a specific focus on public health support to the Strategic Commissioning function of Integrated Care Boards and the implementation of Neighbourhood Health.
This report presents findings from the Partners in Care and Health (PCH) digital switchover survey, commissioned by Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to assess councils’ readiness for the migration from analogue to digital telecare services. The survey received 66 responses, including 63 councils with adult social care responsibilities, representing a response rate of approximately 42% of upper-tier authorities. While this limits the extent to which findings can be generalised across the whole sector, the results provide a snapshot of progress (May 2025), confidence levels, and areas of emerging risk as the January 2027 switch-off deadline approaches.
The Healthy Child programme is the cornerstone of England’s universal public health nursing offer for babies, children and young people. It is delivered by health visitors (for children aged 0–5) and school nurses (for children and young people aged 5–19, or up to 25 for care leavers and those with special educational needs and disabilities).
A summary of the work provided by Partners in Care and Health to deliver the DSHC commissioned adult social care sector improvement programme in 2024-25. This report highlights the reach and impact of our support to the sector, working in collaboration with local authorities to deliver high quality care that enables choice, control and independence for everyone.
